LIBERALS
SCORE IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR
FOREIGN-TRAINED
PROFESSIONALS
TORONTO
– Ontario Liberals have scored an important victory on behalf
of foreign-trained professionals, winning a key vote on a
Liberal-sponsored private member’s bill that provides a practical
solution to labour shortage problems such as Ontario’s doctor shortage.
The
Liberal-led opposition overwhelmed the Harris-Eves Tories and won a key
vote that keep alive the Removal of Occupational Barriers Act, a private
member’s bill sponsored by Tony Ruprecht, Liberal Citizenship Critic and
MPP for Davenport.
Ontario
Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty said Ontario has a severe doctors shortage
and discrimination against foreign-trained professionals and Ruprecht’s
bill provide’s a solution.
“This
bill, when passed, will be good for our economy,” said McGuinty.
“We
have scored an important victory on behalf of foreign-trained
professionals. Tony’s bill now deserves to be passed.”
Ruprecht’s
bill contains practical and specific recommendations aimed at improving
access to trades and professions for foreign-trained professionals. For
example, it would require that occupational bodies, in considering
applications to practise in an occupation, do not discriminate on the
basis that the applicants obtained their qualifications elsewhere.
“As
it stands, there are too many barriers against people who were trained
elsewhere but want to work here in Ontario,” said Ruprecht. “They are
being discriminated against. My bill, when passed, will help stop the
discrimination.”
Ruprecht’s
bill now goes to a legislative committee. McGuinty said the bill should be
passed into law. “My government will do what’s best for Ontario,
something the Harris-Eves government has consistently failed to do. I want
Tony Ruprecht’s bill to be the law of the land.”